Kathy Kuck, the CEO of Pocono Medical Center (PMC), said she felt the alive spirit of women at the March Western Pocono Women's Club meeting.

She was the guest speaker and spoke about Pocono Medical Center's Spirit of Women program which ascribes to high standards of excellence in women's health, education, and community outreach. She invited the ladies to join with a free membership that entitles you to information about PMC's Spirit of Women programs and events, a free quarterly magazine and healthy tips. To learn more visit

www.poconohealthsystem.org/Spirit or email Debbie Moore at

DMoore@PMCHealthSystem.org or call 570-476-3449.Ms. Kuck said that PMC is a 3-Star program, nationally ranked in the Top 50 hospitals in the county by Consumer Reports."We provide world class health care close to home," she said.She talked about the new Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center which is scheduled to open in June and how PMC is building a "medical home.""Like a big box store, like Walmart, we are going to be a one-stop shop for medical care."She said there are plans for an urgent care office in the West End in the very near future.Vicki Connors, WPWC president, updated the members on club affairs after a two-month winter hiatus.In 2011, the club participated in 37 projects, donated $7,802.70 within the community and In Kind donations of $3,037. In Kind donations are what members spend when the ladies gather for coupon clipping, making quilts, scholarship meeting, board, 40th anniversary planning, making of food for meetings and the fair stand, etc. Also, it includes what they spent for supplies like yarn for scarves, hats and blankets for Angel's Closet, etc. These things are then donated but the club is not providing the money for supplies.Ms. Connors realized a personal goal as president to see the club welcome its 50th member when Marie Schriever joined at March's meeting.The club's Quilt for Kids committee was extremely busy sewing over the winter months, making 32 quilts to be donated to children with life-threatening illnesses and victims of child abuse.The Coupons for the Military committee have been busy clipping coupons. Carol Esdale reported that they clipped coupons that had a total value of $43,410.86. She read a letter from a soldier's grateful wife, stationed in Okinawa, that said, "The coupons help more than you probably know."WPWC will gladly accept any coupons you would like to donate. You can contact Vicki Connor at

vconnor11@gmail.com.Linda Bryfogle said she purchased for $89 several clothing items for Angel's Closet, a charity that gives clothing to infants from size 0-18 months, to mothers in need in Monroe County.The club asks members to bring food items in for the Effort United Methodist Church's Supplemental Food Center at each meeting. The ladies donated 39 items at the last meeting.Recently the club donated $300 to Operation: Touch of Home and $100 to the Frankie Lewoc memorial fund.Ms. Connors said the Monroe County's Meals On Wheels is in need of volunteer drivers for the West End. If anyone would be interested in delivering meals once a month, please contact Vicki at

vconnor11@gmail.com.The next WPWC meeting will be Monday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at Effort United Methodist Church in the social hall. The program will be from Family Promise, which is committed to helping low-income families to achieve lasting independence. They do this by helping to provide safe shelter, meals, and support services for homeless families and through programs designed to redress the underlying causes of homelessness.